, 1887-04-07


more people than it is taking away.
1t is certainly within the bounds OF
reason to say that the increase
in population during the next
twelve months will be fifty per
cent. During the past week
there has been considerable of an in
aux to Wardner and the Occur d.
/ Alene country. The lake was open
for navigation last week, and the
steamer commenced its tri.weekly trips
on Monday. Railroad travel between
the Mission and Wardner has not been
entirely Uninterrupted, owing to the
freshets caused by the rains and the
rapid disappearance of the snow.
Neither the Oregon Railway Naviga-
ton company noI the Northern Pacific
will get into Wardner this year. The
cause is the failure oil congress to pass
the bills granting rights of way through
the Occur d. Alene reservation.
The telephone company is abeut to
build line from Spokane to Occur d.
Alene city. 1t already controls the
line from that point to Wardner. This
will bring the mines Of the Occur d
Alene section into more direct connec-
ton with Spokane.
At Wardner there are $240, 900 worth
of ore awaiting shipment. The Ward
ner-Mssion railroad will be extended
from Milo junction up the South Fork
about twenty miles. The Occur d.
Alene Prospecting & Mining company
has been Incorporated for the purpose
OF working in that country.
The capital is $4,000. The company was
organized by j. f. Wardner, and the
entire stock was taken in Spokane
Falls within few hours after being
put on the market.
The prospects for the construction
of smelter in the Colville country is
bright. Within few days n company
of capitalists will be here to look into
the matter, and were it not for the
backwardness Of the owners of claims
in that district, there would be nc
doubt as to the construction OF the
works.
The Okanagan country is commenc-
ing to attract attention. The "tinds'
on the Salmon river were so rich dur
ing the past season that large influx
is confidently expected. Much OF that
region, too, is admirably adapted fol-
cattle-raising, for, although the charac.
ter of the country is somewhat rugged
and mountainous, the ranges and
slopes are covered with II growth oI
bunch grass exceedingly nutritive
From the Palouse country, and
from the fertile prairie spots
to the north and east
comes the news OF satisfactory con
dition of the soil. The acreage in this
vicinity will exceed last years by al
least one-third, and the yield, judging
from the favorable atmospheric condi
tions which have so far existed, should
surpass last years by at least one-half
Among other tidings OF the past week
came the news that an immigrant
party of 500, bound for the Big Bent
was blocked at Mandan by the condi
ton of the Missouri. At least two
real estate offices in this city are con
suming a considerable portion OF theii
time in answering correspondence in
regard to the agricultural resources ol
country accessible to Spokane.
A cracker factory is one OF the lates,
additions to the city's industries, and
another very large saw mill is about to
swell the list. There is large de
mand for building material which, il
it continues, will make the lumber
business lively throughout the entire
season. The Spokaners are go
ing at last, having signified their ac
ceptance of the reservation which has
been offered them. The clear, warn
weather OF the past few days has beer
succeeded by rain. This augurs wei
for the crops, and means for the farmer
year of Unprecedented prosperity
last season having been comparative
failure.
Spokane Falls, March "a, 1851
| Snnfile POST InInllircncer